Discussion

Daily Monop'

A really nice addition to Paris in the last few years. These very cute attractive stores have designer foods up in the front, great yogurts, and even daily-made prepacked sandwichs and salades good for pique-niques. A far cry from the old days of Monoprix!

I recall a wonderful brand of British potato chips there, right up in the front racks, with some really intense flavors. Nice little snack after a long day. Does anybody recall the name of these chips? Trying to see if they are available elsewhere.

P.S. I've noticed the food halls of Galeries Lafayette have goods branded with the Monoprix label. Has GL purchased Monoprix?

This summer we bought a quart of various "gaspachos" almost daily. The new small Monoprix on rue du Bac has an upscale selection of cheeses and excellent produce. Great when you don't feel like walking further.

These new Monop' have also broken new ground on being open late in Paris. (Shades of 7-11?) The one on Bd. St Michel is open until midnight! Really convenient when you're on the way back after dinner and are VERY thirsty!

(Why are we often so thirsty after a Paris dinner? )

In the daytime, John, I've gotten a sandwich or salade. They also have some artisan yaourts, some designer soft drinks, and I also believe they have soups and full main courses if you have the ability to re-heat. I like the place.

My tip is to buy a six pack of 1.5 litre bottles water from the supermarket (a big Monoprix) when you arrive and keep it in the hotel room, it is very cheap to buy it this way and then you have plenty of water on hand - although Paris tap water isn't bad either (I just don't like the taste)

Yes! The first thing we do after arriving at our hotel is to hit the "money store" (ATM) and, prior to the new Bac Monoprix, our local Proxi where we'd pick up your 6-pack of jumbo waters along with the first bottle of "room wine". (Proxi's wine selection varies by store and is often surprisingly good.)

Re after dinner thirst, it also helps to have a large glass of water before leaving for dinner and always several glasses during the meal. I try for a glass of water for every glass of wine.

Can you leave your keys for the catsitter at Daily Monop'? Do they give credit? Do they have eight year olds selling not only bottles of booze but also rolling papers and cigarettes à l'unité? Do they sell fresh mint or coriander by the bunch? Do they know and will they tell you why one of the local kurds tried to kill another kurd with a scimitar?

No! Daily Monop might sell prawn sandwiches, and salt n vinegar crisps but as corporate outpsosts of a big and scary multinational they have nothing on any of my local "Alimentation Generale".